Tasting Notes 2011

Estate Vineyards Chardonnay ’11 combines the best of traditional and modern winemaking. Traditional whole-bunch pressing, barrel fermentation and malolactic fermentation were used on a portion of the wine to enhance the complexity, richness and integration. Modern de-stemming and tank fermentation was used for the remainder of the grapes to preserve the vibrant varietal aromas and clear, fresh fruit expression. The resulting wines were matured for ten months before being blended, fined and bottled.

Estate Vineyards Chardonnay ’11 has a bright straw colour with golden lights, and lovely aromas of ripest white peach, sweet lemon, grilled nuts and toast. The palate is pure, focussed and fine, showing pear juice and nougat flavours, with a creamy texture and refreshing acidity contributing to a long finish.

Estate Vineyards Chardonnay ’11 is delicious on its own, or a wonderful partner for both simply prepared and fuller flavoured seafood, and white meat dishes.

Technical Analysis

Winemaking

Estate Vineyards Chardonnay ’11 combines the best of traditional and modern winemaking. Traditional whole-bunch pressing, barrel fermentation and malolactic fermentation were used on a portion of the wine to enhance the complexity, richness and integration. Modern de-stemming and tank fermentation was used for the remainder of the grapes to preserve the vibrant varietal aromas and clear, fresh fruit expression. The resulting wines were matured for ten months before being blended, fined and bottled.

Vineyards

The grapes for Estate Vineyards Chardonnay ’11 were harvested from our Woodthorpe Terraces, Bridge Pa Triangle, and Havelock Hills vineyards between 17 and 23 March 2011.

Origin

Sourced exclusively from Te Mata Estate’s own vineyards, the estate vineyards wines are blended to represent the best qualities of their variety, vintage, and Hawke’s Bay origin.